New stop signs to be put at 5 intersections

City plans to place stop signs at five uncontrolled intersections

Traffic Safety Committee recommendation designed to cut down on collisions

Starting Jan. 12, the City of Arkansas City will place stop signs at five uncontrolled intersections in northern Ark City. East-west traffic will be required to stop there.

The move is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of vehicle collisions at the intersections.

The City Commission voted 4-0 on Dec. 19, 2017, to approve a resolution authorizing the placement of 10 new traffic control devices. The five intersections that will be affected starting Dec. 12 are:

Birch Avenue and C Street — east-west traffic on Birch Avenue will have to stop;

Cedar Avenue and Fifth Street — east-west traffic on Cedar Avenue will have to stop;

Poplar Avenue and Third Street — east-west traffic on Poplar Avenue will have to stop;

Poplar Avenue and Fourth Street — east-west traffic on Poplar Avenue will have to stop;

Vine Avenue and Seventh Street — east-west traffic on Vine Avenue will have to stop.

These intersections will serve as a test case for whether stop signs for east-west traffic reduce collisions. If it proves successful, six more intersections might be addressed with a similar resolution.

City staff plans to use reflective tape and flags on the sign poles to call attention to the new stop sign placements.

Tree trimming and removal will be performed as needed to improve visibility at the most troublesome intersections, as well. Motorists are urged to use caution as drivers adjust to these changes.

The City Commission acted last month upon a unanimous recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee — which includes representatives of city staff, Cowley College, the Planning Commission, USD 470 and the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce — in taking this action.